Psalm 72
THEME: A PSALM OF SOLOMON
(72:1-5)
Solomon started his prayer by praying about the qualities he wanted in a leader. He wanted a leader who respected God’s authority at all times and who would judge the people in the right way. For example, he wanted the poor people to receive justice and destroy those who were cruel to them. He wanted an honest and fair king.
(72:6-11)
He uses the metaphor of the king being like rain that falls on the grass in the field. The rain gives the soil what it needs, which is water. He prayed for a king who would bring peace and abundant prosperity to all the land as long as the moon endures. He wanted a king whom all nations would respect.
(72:12-19)
He prayed for a king who cared for the poor, the oppressed, and the weak. He prayed for a king honored everywhere and from all nations. He ends with: Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. Praise His glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.
(72:20)
(This ends the prayers of David, son of Jesse.)
MY OBSERVATION:
Solomon, David's son, reigned during Israel‘s golden age. He built the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, and the land rested in peace. This psalm, through written by Solomon, looks beyond Solomon's reign to that of Jesus the Messiah, whose kingdom extends to the ends of the Earth and is more significant than any human empire.
We should always pray for our leaders, just like the examples in Psalm 72. We want a leader who will defend the afflicted, rule the nations, deliver the needy, rescue the oppressed, and bless all nations. The world would change so much if leaders committed themselves to being just and righteous.
Pray that God will help the world's leaders see their need for Him and help them lead with justice and righteousness.
2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Psalm 72 is a prayer for a righteous king, emphasizing the importance of justice, righteousness, and peace in leadership, and it's believed to foreshadow the reign of the Messiah.
Solomon is asking God to bless him as the monarch of Israel, and to bless him with wise judgments and a reign displaying God's righteousness.